Happy Father's Day

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 21, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings!

Yesterday we celebrated Father’s Day in honor of our fathers. My family went home to La Carlota City, Negros Occidental to celebrate this special day with my father.

When we went back to Iloilo, I had one of the great scares in my life as a father. Our son, Kairos, had a bike accident. He was wounded in the area between his nose and mouth when his face collided with the handle post of the bike. His Lola was shouting, “baw nasungi ang apo ko.” I, too, thought at that time that the accident would result into a cleft upper lip. But thank God, after some ice and “balunggay” he was okay. My sister-in-law said to Kairos, “grabe gift mo kay tatay mo sa Father’s Day ba.” As I reflect now on what happened, I can indeed say that it was indeed a gift because it validated my love to my son. This accident reminded me that God is telling the fathers to take care of their children for they are precious gifts from Him.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 tells us what God expects from fathers. This passage is called the Shema and is considered the most important prayer of the Jews. They pray it every morning and during nighttime. In the context of the Old Testament, the Shema is only prayed by the fathers. We can reflect three things from this prayer.

First, we need fathers who have a personal relationship with God. Verse 6 tells us that the commandments of God must be upon the hearts of the fathers.

The current observation in churches now is that the men are inactive in church activities. The women and the youth are the most active. The Bible continues to remind all of us, especially the fathers, to read, meditate, pray and live the Word of God.

On this Father’s Day let us be reminded to cultivate our personal relationship with God.

Second, we need fathers who teach their children about God. Verse 7 tells us, “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Are we sitting with our children and talk to them about God? Or do we grab first the remote control of the TV or play the computer when we arrive in our homes? Do we bring our work at home and have no time to lie down and read stories to our children? God is reminding the fathers of our task as educators.

Third, we need fathers that live what he teaches both at home and in public. It is common to hear this phrase, “just practice what I teach but do not follow my example.” This phrase should not be in our vocabulary anymore.

As parents we have seen our children using our shoes or slippers when they were small. This event should remind us that our children need good role models who follow the ways of Jesus. By the grace of God, let us try our best not to fail our children.

Happy Father’s Day! May God bless us!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

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